Ye Chen's voice wasn't loud, yet it cut through the room.
Everyone in the Classroom heard it and burst out laughing.
Even Su Xiaonuan, who had been buried in her workbook, couldn't help smiling.
She'd already guessed that Ye Chen's temperament wouldn't let him suffer in silence.
As for Wu Bin, his face turned livid and his fists clenched.
Coupled with that Acne-covered face, he looked as ugly as could be.
This was a math lesson.
Teacher Han entered the room; today's focus was reminders for the National Higher Education Entrance Examination.
Everyone listened intently.
After all, Teacher Han's experience meant an excellent grasp of likely exam questions.
But right now Wu Bin was in no mood to listen.
He stared at Ye Chen with venomous eyes.
Over there, Ye Chen, Li Sitong and Xia Yingluo were whispering to one another while still following the lesson.
Wu Bin felt a sour mix of jealousy and hatred.
"That bastard—this isn't over."
When class ended, Ye Chen walked past Wu Bin's seat; a flash of inspiration crossed Wu Bin's face, a sly grin tugging at his lips.
The instant Ye Chen stepped forward, Wu Bin imperceptibly stretched out a leg to block him.
"Thud!"
Ye Chen hadn't noticed the trick and tripped.
Losing balance, he swiftly planted his left foot to steady himself and pivoted his right, managing a slight stagger without falling.
"Ahh!"
A cry of pain rang through the Classroom.
Wu Bin's face contorted: "Ye Chen, why'd you step on me?"
Just as class ended, every eye turned toward them.
Pointing at Ye Chen, Wu Bin declared, "We had a tiny spat—no need to stomp on me on purpose. Who knew you'd be so despicable?"
Instantly the crowd gathered, Li Sitong and Xia Yingluo among them.
Seeing Wu Bin clutching his foot while Ye Chen was bent forward, everyone leapt to conclusions.
"Ye Chen went too far."
"We're classmates—was that necessary?"
"He seems so nice, but turns out to be so underhanded."
Watching Wu Bin's pained look, most assumed Ye Chen had deliberately trodden on him.
Li Sitong and Xia Yingluo frowned.
They knew Ye Chen.
Playful and a bit devilish in private, he'd never resort to petty foot-stomping for revenge.
Ye Chen paid the chatter no mind.
Reborn once, he wouldn't be rattled by such a scene.
Seeing the worry in the girls' eyes, he smiled faintly, giving them a reassuring look.
He turned to Wu Bin, scratched his ear and said, "Just heard a mutt yapping—so it was you?"
"You—"
Wu Bin, inflamed by Ye Chen's calm, slammed the desk and stood. "Still playing dumb? Good grades don't give you license to do whatever you want!"
"Sneaky tricks—if you're a man, speak up to my face."
Calm against the storm, Ye Chen replied, "If you spent half the effort you waste on dirty schemes on studying, your scores wouldn't be garbage."
Wu Bin snorted. "Who do you think you are? Today you apologize, or I'm reporting you to the teacher."
All eyes in the room fixed on Ye Chen.
He said lightly, "Stepped on you? When did I step on you?"
Wu Bin smirked. "Man up. The whole class saw it—quit playing ostrich."
"Oh?"
Ye Chen glanced around. "Wu Bin claims I stepped on him—any witnesses? Step forward."
Students exchanged looks; no one spoke.
They'd only heard Wu Bin's yell—no one had actually seen the stomp.
Ye Chen spread his hands. "Seems no one saw it—got any proof?"
"Proof? My foot's the proof."
Wu Bin stuck out his left foot. "I was reviewing when you passed and purposely stomped me—if you hadn't, why would I scream?"
Ye Chen shook his head and sighed. "You may look human, but your IQ's porcine. Being dumb isn't your fault—dragging others down with inane questions is."
"You—"
Wu Bin trembled with rage.
Ye Chen smiled. "If you've no brains, don't try shady setups."
He pointed at Wu Bin's left shoe. "Check it out—if I'd stepped on him, there'd be a mark."
At that, everyone looked down.
Wu Bin wore white Sneakers.
The tops were spotless—no scuff or dirt—showing no sign of being stepped on.
In an instant the onlookers understood.
Embarrassed earlier, Wu Bin had fabricated the stunt to frame Ye Chen.
Contempt filled their faces.
Flustered, Wu Bin argued, "No, you stomped hard; I brushed the dust off—that's why it's clean. Quit dodging—just apologize!"
Ye Chen mocked, "So I stomped you 'very hard,' you say."
Wu Bin nodded. "Yes, hard—on purpose. Otherwise why would I yelp?"
Ye Chen nodded, smiling. "You lack proof I stepped on you, but I can prove I didn't—dare to cooperate?"
Wu Bin hesitated, eyeing him.
He sensed malice but couldn't refuse.
Declining would look like a guilty conscience.
So he blustered, "Bring it on—let's see how you prove it."
Ye Chen turned to the class. "Bear witness—Wu Bin agreed to cooperate."
He added with a grin, "Truth stands; lies fold—let's test what's real."